Melissa Proffitt is the Partner-in-Charge of Client Relations at the law firm of Ice Miller LLP. She is also the founder and Chair of the Food and Agribusiness Group and the founder of the Energy Group. She was the first female Managing Partner of the Firm, is a former Office Managing Partner and former chair of the Employee Benefits Group for over 20 years. In addition to practicing law, she is responsible for business development initiatives for the Firm. Melissa concentrates her practice in employee benefits and counsels regional and international clients on benefit issues.

Proffitt has received many awards and acknowledgements including being recognized in “Best Lawyers® in America,” 2006-2023, as an Indiana Super Lawyer from 2004-2022, was recognized as the IBJ’s Indiana 250 Most Influential Leaders in Indiana and has received the Indiana Lawyer Distinguished Barrister Award, among many other awards. She is an active participant in the Indiana Governor’s and Lieutenant Governor’s economic trade missions and initiatives, having attended 17 international trade missions to date. Melissa is active in politics at a community and a national level.

Melissa’s current board appointments include Chair of the Indy Chamber of Commerce, member of the Indiana Black Expo, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Star Financial Bank, Indiana University Women’s Philanthropy Leadership Council, Ivy Tech Foundation, The International Center, AgriNovus Board, NBA All-Star 2024 Host Committee, Indiana University Foundation, IUPUI Vision 2024 “Dream Team”, Indiana Sports Corp, and Indianapolis Dean’s Council for the Kelley School of Business, among others.

Melissa holds a bachelor’s degree, with distinction, from Indiana University. She received her juris doctor from the Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis, cum laude. Melissa is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Eta Sigma, and Alpha Lambda Delta honorary fraternities.

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